MILLIONS on Universal Credit and a state pension face payment delays despite rates going up this week.
The vast majority of benefit payments rose by 1.7% and the state pension by 4.1% yesterday (April 7).
Millions on Universal Credit and a state pension won’t see new rates take effect this monthHowever, plenty of people will have to wait longer to receive a cash boost, and some until June.
This is because most benefits are paid monthly or twice monthly in arrears.
For example, those who usually receive their state pension on or before the 8th of each month won’t get the increased rate until May.
So, if you usually get paid on 6th of each month, you won’t get the hiked rate until May 6.
Meanwhile, millions on Universal Credit will also have to wait longer to see the new rates kick in.
This is because the amount you receive is based on your income and other personal circumstances during your last “assessment period”.
Those whose assessment periods started before April 7 will see their benefits rise in May.
However, anyone whose assessment period started after this date won’t get the increased 2025/26 rate until June.
Here’s a full list of the new benefit rates for 2025/26 so you can check how much extra you might get.
Universal Credit
The amount people claiming Universal Credit receive has increased by 1.7%.
The benefit is paid to those who are not currently in work or to top up the income of low earners.
Standard allowance (per month)
For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance has risen from £311.68 to £316.98 For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance has risen from £393.45 to £400.14 For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance has risen from £489.23 to £497.55 For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance has risen from £617.60 to £628.10Extra amounts for children
For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the extra amount has increased from £333.33 to £339 For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child, the extra amount has risen from £287.92 to £292.81 For those with a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment has risen from £156.11 to £158.76 and the higher rate from £487.58 to £495.87.Extra amounts for limited capability for work
For those deemed to have limited capability for work, the amount has increased from £156.11 to £158.76 For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount will has increased from £416.19 to £423.27Extra amounts for being a carer
Universal Credit claimants can get an additional amount if they’re caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.
The amount you get a month has risen from £198.31 to £201.68
The work allowance rates have also risen.
Increased work allowance
The higher work allowance (no housing amount) for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work has risen from £673 to £684 The lower work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work has risen from £404 to £411State pension
The state pension has increased from from £11,502.40 to £11,975 per year – a 4.1% boost.
The state pension rises under the “triple lock” system which sees it rise in line with whatever is highest out of: wage growth, 2.5% or the previous September’s inflation figures.
This year the rate of wage growth applies, meaning a 4.1% boost.
The full rate of the new state pension has risen £221.20 a week to £230.25.
For the basic part of the old state pension, the rate has increased from £169.50 to £176.45.
It’s worth bearing in mind, Additional State Pension amounts don’t rise in line with the triple lock.
Meanwhile, any additional amounts you have received from deferring your state pension also do not go up in line with the triple lock.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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